As it turned out, Scotland’s defence was probably the only fully functional part of Craig Levein’s team as our World Cup campaign got off to a miserable start last month with back-to-back Hampden draws.

Over the next five days Berra will hurl himself back into the firing line as Levein attempts to repair some of the damage done by those disappointments against Serbia and Macedonia.

The difference is this time it’s Wales and the blistering Belgians who will be attempting to undermine the centre-half. And this acid test all kicks off tomorrow night in Cardiff.

Berra cannot afford to buckle under interrogation from Gareth Bale, no matter how intense the pressure may become.

He’ll have to resist Aaron Ramsey too, even though the Arsenal man will try to trick and tease his way through Scotland’s last line.

And, more daunting still, he’ll have to withstand everything these Premier League A listers can throw at him in the certain knowledge he’s only ever one slip-up away from hearing his doubters gloat they were right about him in the first place.

The good news is the softly-spoken Berra appears to be made of strong stuff. Certainly, he heads south this afternoon in bullish mood and determined to prove his international credentials all over again.

He said: “Yes, I saw one or two things that were written about the defence before the last games but these things don’t bother me.

“No matter what country you play for the defence always comes in for a bit of stick.

“Strikers can go and miss a gilt-edged chance and nothing gets written about it.

“But if a defender makes a mistake it’s back-page headlines. That’s the price you pay for being a defender, I guess. You get used to it, you need to be thick-skinned.

“I’ve made mistakes in the past and I’ll make mistakes in the future. But everyone does, even the top players, and it’s the only way you’re going to get better.

“Defence is the last line and you don’t always get the headlines but you do the dirty work and it helps the team.

“That’s why we were pleased at the way we defended in the first two qualifiers. It wasn’t about sticking two fingers up at anyone – it was about doing our job for the team.

“Over the piece under the manager we’ve been quite solid as a defensive unit.

“But we’ve got two big games now. Wales have Bale and Ramsey, two players hitting top form with their clubs.

“Then it’s Belgium, who before their game with Wales last month had a possible starting 11 worth something like £158million in transfers which is ridiculous.

“But we know, whoever goes out against these teams, we have to be on top form to keep them at bay and keep clean sheets.”

Berra will almost certainly be among Levein’s first picks tomorrow when it is expected he will re-establish a partnership with Wigan’s Gary Caldwell at the heart of Scotland’s defence.

Andy Webster – who hardly put a foot wrong in the opening two games – looks likely to be squeezed back on to the bench.

Berra is taking nothing for granted. “There’s me, Gary and big Andy. It’s down to the manager to decide who plays at centre-half,” is how the 27-year-old Wolves man puts it.

Despite this bashful approach, there seems to be a deep-rooted confidence about Berra which is only now beginning to seep to the surface. He is certainly starting to talk like a player who is ready to come of age at this level as indicated by his forthright views on what Scotland must take from the game in Cardiff if they want to be taken seriously in Group A.

There was no messing around. Scotland need a win to survive and they will probably have to whip the Welsh for a second time in Glasgow to stay in contention.

Unlike others around Levein’s group, Berra makes no attempt to sugar coat the truth. He admits it’s now or never.

He added: “We’ve taken a big step forward as a team because now we’re expected to go out there and beat teams like Serbia.

“You have to realise they’ve got top players and they humped Wales 6-1. Some of their players star in the Premier League for top teams.

“Against Macedonia we all know we didn’t play to the standard we like but the second half was a lot better and we were pushing to get that second goal.

“But the hardest thing in football is putting the ball in the net and we just couldn’t manage that.”

Just as well then that the reinforcements have arrived in time for matches three and four in the shape of Steven Fletcher and Kris Commons.

Fletcher – Berra’s former team-mate at Molineux – looks set to lead Levein’s line tomorrow having finally made up with the manager after 20 months in the doghouse.

And the defender will be delighted to see yet another striker grabbing all the headlines should Fletcher make good on his big comeback.

He said: “Everyone knows from just watching him on TV that he’s a top player. He adds something to the squad and the boys are looking forward to him being back.

“He’s been a fantastic player for Burnley, Wolves and now Sunderland. It’s great to have him on board again.

“He’s started this season on fire and scored five in five games so I don’t think there’s anyone better at the moment. He’s a player on form and he’ll relish the opportunity.

“As with any good player, especially at this level, if the pressure is on sometimes you produce your best performances.

“He’s been on great form this season so far and when he pulls on the Scotland shirt I’m sure he’ll produce the goods.”